Shloka 53

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः

Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct

Devanagari script

देवासुरनृकन्यानामाहर्तारंततस्ततः ।।।।शत्रुस्त्रीशोकदातारं नेतारं स्वजनस्य च ।

Transliteration

devāsuranṛkanyānām āhartāraṃ tatas tataḥ | śatrustrīśokadātāraṃ netāraṃ svajanasya ca ||

Translation

Aquel que raptaba, de un lugar a otro, a las doncellas de devas, asuras y humanos; que daba aflicción a las mujeres de sus enemigos; y, sin embargo, era guía de los suyos.

Word by Word

देवासुरनृकन्यानाम्of the maidens of gods, demons, and men

आहर्तारम्abductor/one who carries off

ततःfrom there

ततःfrom there (here and there)

शत्रुस्त्रीशोकदातारम्giver of grief to enemy women

नेतारम्leader

स्वजनस्यof his own people

चand

Context

"Brought by force virgin girls of Devas, suras and human beings from here and there forcibly and caused the enemy women to mourn;"

Characters & Entities

Rāvaṇa

Devas

Asuras

Humans (nṛ)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The violation of others’ dignity—especially through abduction—stands as adharma and inevitably generates grief and retaliation; Satya manifests as consequence.

What is the narrative situation?

In mourning, Mandodarī recounts Rāvaṇa’s actions that harmed many families, implicitly pointing to the roots of the war’s tragedy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for boundaries (maryādā) is emphasized by contrast: Dharma requires honoring others’ autonomy and social order.